Some pics of the new oven

To run a 2500 watt element on 110 volts would need almost 23 amps.

At 220 volts its 11.5 amps



Some of the kiln manufacturers offer 110 volt versions of knife ovens. Evenheat or paragon come to mind. If you are planning to build your own oven take a look at their specs and see what might work for you and design around that if you can. Maybe the element you have can be used but the length of the element and and the diameter of the kanthal A1 its made of will limit your options.

 

Thanks for the advice ! Do you have any idea of what type of elements i should pick?

 

Not really
I built my oven first then I made the elements to fit it.

 

You best bet would be to find a local pottery supply shop and get your stuff through them. Most pottery equipment places build or repair kilns so they should be able to help you calculate the the size and type of elements you'd need for the size of kiln you want to build. The size and type of elements depend on the internal cubic feet of the kiln and how hot you need it. You should be able to make a small kiln and run it on 110 no problem. I have 2 small paragon kilns at work, for glass bead making and they are both 110 and work great. Check out what's already out there, and don't just look at knife making kilns, then decide if it's worth you time and effort to build your own. I love building my own equipment but sometimes it's just easier and faster to get it pre-built.
http://www.paragonweb.com/Knife_Making_Furnaces.cfm
http://www.evenheat-kiln.com/?pg=category&c=3
Check out some of the other kilns, not just knife making.

Good luck
Joel

 

Knifeaholic, When I was researching building an oven I found a lot of information on the British Blades forum. There is a sticky just on heat treat oven construction. There are also a few construction threads that show the complete builds. You may want to take a look at some of them if you haven't already. http://www.britishblades.com/forums...ng-a-Heat-Treatment-Oven-Information-Database

Alexander13
I also am a build it myself kind of guy. Building the tools is almost as much fun as using them. And with the information available on the web.....Well all I can say is MUWAHAHA!! whats next......
I would love to see the pics of your oven and grinder they don't seem to be here anymore.

 

Grouch. Beautiful knives!

I have a old folder with an ATS34 blade, circa 1990. This steel is ultimately what got me interested in knife making. My understanding is ATS34 and 154CM are similar composition. I've been heat treating 154CM and CPM154 to 1050°C for 15 minutes, plate quenching, then immediately placing into tempering oven at 200°C for three 2 hour cycles. I don't have a Rockwell tester, but experience indicates it's super tough, fairly easy to sharpen and stays sharp under abusive circumstances, just like the my old folder. Something must be working.

 

Thanks Dancom
That's very similar to the recipe I've been using for ATS 34 and I am getting a consistent 60.5 rc.1050 C for 16 mins. Then the first temper in this one is done at 325 F and is done as soon as you can touch them. 1 hour at 325 F to relieve stress and prevent cracking. And then 2hrs at 390 F twice.